NatureBridge is committed to planning and conducting a safe and specialized program to meet your group’s academic and social growth needs. To this end, there are many forms for us to use to craft your program. Submitting most of these completed forms to us as soon as you can will ensure ample time for us to plan!

Planning tools

Download and print these two helpful documents.

• The Planning Checklist will give you an overview of how best to plan your program from start to finish, including timelines, forms, suggestions, and tips!
• The Essential Paperwork Table helps you to keep track of all the forms you may need to use to plan your trip.

If you have any questions about these forms, please contact Education Manager Meg Jakubowski at mjakubowski@naturebridge.org or call 310-774-5990.

Plan your educational experience

Our curriculum is customized for each program by our field science educators, who all hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a science or science-related field. You will choose one to two California State Science Standards, and the level of social growth you would like your students to experience on their trip. We combine science lessons, data collection and observation, and team building to meet your exact needs. Students depart our campuses with leadership skills and a mastery of your chosen standards – all learned in a beautiful and inspiring setting. You can also view our Areas of Study for generalized descriptions of our lesson topics; it may help you narrow the academic focus for your trip.

Essential forms and paperwork downloads

Participant registration forms

• Participant Registration Form in English
• Participant Registration Form in Spanish

Packing lists

• Packing List Boat in English
• Packing List Boat in Spanish 
• Packing List Island Camping in English
• Packing List Island Camping Spanish 

Teacher/group leader’s program logistics forms

• Planning Questionnaire
• Planning Checklist
• Trail Group & Medical/Dietary Alerts
• Master Participant Roster

Sleeping arrangement forms

• Boat Groups List
• Tent Groups List for Circle X or Channel Islands tent camping
• Cabin Groups List for Camp Shalom

Miscellaneous forms

• Scholarship Application
• Student Behavior Contract
• Sample Letter to Parents
• California Science Standards
• Channel Islands Outfitter kayak/ snorkel Acknowledgement of Risk and Medical Information form

Program locations and vendor information

Island hopping with Truth Aquatics

With the live-aboard boat, your group will island hop between different Channel Islands. Depending on the length of your trip, and weather conditions, you could visit one or more among San Miguel, Santa Rosa Island, and/or Santa Cruz Island. 
We depart from Santa Barbara Harbor aboard one or more vessels in the Truth Aquatics fleet. Your group will sleep aboard the ship, and hike on the islands during the day. Learn more about Truth Aquatics’ fleet.
 
Tent camping on Santa Cruz Island
We take an Island Packers ferry from Ventura Harbor and land on Santa Cruz Island at Scorpion Anchorage. 
Please contact us if you have other questions regarding the accommodations you will experience on your trip or which vessel your group has been assigned to.
Contact Education Manager Meg Jakubowski at mjakubowski@naturebridge.org or 310-774-5990.

Kayaking and snorkeling
If you haven’t looked underwater, you haven’t fully experienced the Channel Islands! We partner with Channel Islands Outfitters, whose specialized guides lead your group in a kayaking and snorkeling experience. You will wear overall-style jumpsuits that will keep your body warm while kayaking in pairs on sit-on-top ocean kayaks.
While the water is chilly, it is well worth it to snorkel and experience the diversity of the marine environment in this unique, underwater portion of the National Park. 
Contact Karen Oxrider at koxrider@naturebridge.org to discuss the cost of adding this to your camping or live-aboard boat program. 

Island information

Motion Sickness: While some participants do experience motion sickness aboard the boat, a self-administered dose of over the counter anti-nausea medication is typically very effective.

Swimming: We do not permit swimming or wading in the Pacific Ocean.

Cancellations: We will camp, hike, and conduct the program in inclement weather, including rain. At times, decisions may be made to cancel a trip due to weather considerations. We will do our best to let you know as far in advance of the possibility of a cancellation. The decision to cancel is, at times, out of our hands, as we rely on Island Packers or Truth Aquatics to transport us safely to the island. Of course, we will do everything we can to reschedule or refund your trip as outlined in your contract, and we will deal with this issue personally and on a case-by-case basis to all parties' satisfactions.

Program schedule

Still wondering what your program might look like? We have numerous options that underscore our flexibility in program planning with you. Rest assured - you will talk to a NatureBridge employee to customize your unique program. Download a sample lesson plan and schedule for a four-day boat program in the Channel Islands.

Teaching tools

Help prepare your students and answer any questions before your visit! You can request a pre-trip visit to your classroom from a NatureBridge staff member. Because staffing is limited, we may not be able to accommodate every request. However, we recommend a pre-trip visit for all first-time groups. Contact Meg Jakubowski at mjakubowski@naturebridge.org to schedule a pre-trip visit.

• Vocabulary lists
• Teacher resources and professional development
• Channel Islands National Park’s information for teachers. 
• Natural history background information on the Channel Islands from the National Park Service
• NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Channel Islands information for teachers.
• Natural history background information on the Channel Islands from NOAA             

Thank you for volunteering to be a chaperone! Your positive attitude and willingness to participate during the instructional day is of great importance to both students and NatureBridge staff. Remember, the students will look to you for behavior cues. We ask that you remain positive and as upbeat as possible, even in inclement weather or during challenging portions of the hiking day.

Paperwork

1. Participant Registration Form in English
2. Participant Registration Form in Spanish

1. Packing List Channel Islands Boat in English
2. Packing List Channel Islands Boat in Spanish
3. Packing List Circle X & Camp Shalom in English

Chaperone responsibilities and FAQs